1) DEBT not dept
2) IF you have an overdraft (spend more than is in the account) protection, then it is possible to wind up owing the bank the overages.

A "Debit Card" is also referred to as a "Check Card" because, like a check, the money is drawn DIRECTLY from your account.

Those that think the MC/Visa logo means it's also a Credit Card don't know their @ss from their elbow. The MC/Visa aspect allows the merchant to run the debit card like a credit card (signature, not a PIN) but the money is still debited directly from your account.

Merchants PREFER to run it as a debit card because it's a Flat Rate of 80 - 90 cents per transaction, regardless of the amount of the sale. As a Credit Card, the "discount" (the fee the merchant pays for the convenience of accepting cards) is a Percentage of 2.5 - 3% of the transaction. So, a $1000 sale would cost the merchant $30 if run as a credit card. But as a debit card, the transaction costs him only 85 cents if it's $10 or $10,000. BUT, the merchant may not have the equipment to run it as a debit card.

If there is a credit card logo on it like Visa, if you run out of cash in your account, it will default to credit if you keep buying things.

If it is only debit, you can go into deBt if you have a $30 overdraft fee plus the 75% interest on the payday long loan you got for the rent. There's a moment when chopping more firewood means losing your fingers and nose in the cold. I don't think most debit cards have a governor the way the m4 doesn't let you waste your ammo if you try.